Final part of HMS Queen Elizabeth passes under Forth Bridge on its way to Rosyth (Image: Billy Cullen)

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THE last piece of what will be the Royal Navy's biggest-ever warship has passed under the Forth Bridge on its way to be assembled.

It took workers in Scotstoun, Glasgow nearly two years to build the huge aft island of HMS Queen Elizabeth, which will serve as the centre of on-board flight operations.

Weighing in at more than 750 tonnes and standing more than 30m in height, the section has been transported round the north coast of Scotland to Rosyth where a giant crane will lift it onto the ship.

Aircraft Carrier Alliance programme director Ian Booth, at BAE Systems, said: "The arrival of the aft island is a massive milestone in the assembly of HMS Queen Elizabeth. Getting to this point has required a fantastic amount of work from thousands of skilled men and women.

"Seeing this section arrive at Rosyth is a proud moment.

"Now, before the year is out, we will complete the assembly of HMS Queen Elizabeth, the largest ship in the history of the Royal Navy."

The aircraft carrier is expected to be in the water by next year and in full military operation by 2020.

It is the first carrier to use two islands. The forward island, already erected, houses the ship's bridge. The aft island (around the ship's stern) will house the air traffic control system.